Lihapyorykoita

For those of you who have no idea what Lihapyorykoita is or are not Finnish then let me explain what this is. Lihapyorykoita are Finnish meatballs. They sort of taste like Swedish meatballs, for something to compare them to that most Americans have had. Personally, I prefer Lihapyorykoita because they have a richer taste to them. If you love Swedish meatballs or just want to try some good Finnish food then this is the recipe for you! 

Ingredients for the Meatballs

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 leek, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 cup butter
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• Ingredients for the Sauce
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• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup whipping cream

Directions

• Mix the beef, bread crumbs, leek, egg, cream, salt, and allspice in a bowl until evenly mixed
• Roll the mixture into spheres about the size of a golf ball
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook about half the meatballs in the butter until evenly browned on all sides which should be about 5 to 7 minutes
• Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining meatballs, keeping the liquid in the skillet when finished to make the sauce with
• Sift the flour into the skillet with the drippings and cook until brown or about 2 to 3 minutes
• Slowly stream the milk into the skillet while whisking vigorously or it will clump
• Pour the cream into the mixture and stir until smooth
• Return all the meatballs to the skillet
• Stir to coat the meatballs with the sauce
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the meatballs are cooked through which should take 15 to 20 minutes

There you go! It should take between an hour to an hour and a half to make depending on how fast you can make the meatballs. It is a 4 person serving so if you need to cut it in half or quarter it, it shouldn't be too hard.

Enjoy!